MAKHANDA, Eastern Cape – The Makhanda High Court has granted an interim interdict against the African National Congress (ANC) Eastern Cape Provincial Task Team, effectively suspending the 40-member interim structure’s operations. The ruling follows a legal challenge brought by disgruntled party members who argued that proper procedures were not adhered to when the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) was dissolved and the task team was subsequently appointed.
During a brief hearing, the court handed down the interim order, setting aside the appointment of the Provincial Task Team (PTT) pending the finalization of the legal challenge. According to ANC Eastern Cape spokesperson Yanga Zicina, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had originally established the interim structure to guide the organization after the PEC’s term lapsed. This administrative move occurred after the same group of members successfully challenged a planned provincial conference in court, arguing it was convened prematurely.
Spokesperson Yanga Zicina described the court’s interim ruling as irrational, highlighting what he viewed as paradoxical legal maneuvers by the applicants.
“How do you say on one end a term of office for the provincial executive committee is four years… when the term lapses they then again run to the same court and say no, you can’t put any interim structure,” Yanga Zicina stated.
The spokesperson noted that the party must now study the judgment, seek proper legal advice, and await direction from the NEC on the appropriate course of action. He emphasized that the order is interim and will be determined to finality at a later date, but expressed frustration over the current leadership vacuum.
The interim interdict leaves the ANC in the Eastern Cape temporarily without a formal provincial leadership structure, as the PEC’s term has already ended and the PTT is now nullified. Despite this setback, the party maintains that its election preparations remain on track. With the elections scheduled for November 4, the ANC’s PT Coordinator emphasized that the legal challenges will not derail their campaigning efforts.
The PT Coordinator dismissed concerns that the internal legal battles would negatively impact the party’s electoral performance. Highlighting recent by-election successes, the coordinator noted that the ANC secured a massive victory in the Buffalo City municipality, achieving a 10% increase in Ward 1 and Ward 10 compared to the previous election.
“The people of South Africa still have confidence in the African National Congress,” the PT Coordinator said, countering claims that the party would collapse amid internal disputes and defections. “The people of the Eastern Cape demonstrated overwhelmingly… regardless of which face is there at a particular point in time.”
While the party respects the court’s decision and will not act in contempt, the PT Coordinator confirmed that a solid election campaign program is already being driven at the grassroots level. The NEC will be advised on the appropriate course of action moving forward, but the party maintains that the November 4 elections will serve as a turning point, aiming to demonstrate to the public that the ANC remains the true home of the people of South Africa.
The Makhanda High Court is expected to set a date for the matter to be finalized.
